Leeds United forward Georginio Rutter could return to former club Hoffenheim on loan this summer, with the possibility of that happening not yet ruled out.
That’s according to Kicker, who say a loan deal has been ‘discussed’ for the striker as the exodus from Elland Road continues.
Several Leeds stars have already headed to the Bundesliga on loan this summer, with Robin Koch, Maximilian Wöber and Brendan Aaronson all leaving thanks to clauses in their contracts.
Rutter could be the fourth to make the switch, with Hoffenheim having only explored the possibility of a loan deal so far.
According to Kicker’s information, Leeds have agreed that Rutter can leave the club on loan this summer in the event of relegation, but only if he finds a club that takes over his salary entirely.
Leeds’ relegation has now made such a move possible, although unlike the other players in the squad, a loan exit is not contractually fixed. Instead, there is only an ‘oral agreement’ that it can happen.
That was in place with former Leeds sporting director Victor Orta, so there is now a question whether Rutter would actually be allowed to depart.
A further complication is that Leeds boss Daniel Farke appears to be planning on using Rutter in his rebuild, having started him in three of four pre-season games so far.
Hoffenheim are keen either way, as are Freiburg, but at the moment it is ‘a waiting game’ to see if he’ll be allowed to leave on loan and become the fourth Leeds man to move to the Bundesliga in such a deal.
